1
as in main
coming before all others in importance
this assignment will be prior to any other work you may have
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in previous
going before another in time or order
we've made prior arrangements
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of prior
Also adding to the cash injection for Kaleidoscope are prior investors like The Raine Group, former MTV leader Tom Freston and venture capital firm Nimble Ventures.
—
Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2025
The man from Mexico had prior convictions for car theft and drug possession.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 13 July 2025
From the fourth quarter of 2024 to the fourth quarter of 2025, Millar estimates the economy will grow a meager 0.5%, compared to 2.5% the prior year.
—Paul Davidson, USA Today, 13 July 2025
Contrast this with Forrester’s Total Economic Impact study of a leading CDP public cloud deployment, which showed that organizations achieved a 99.5% reduction in costs to scale data analytics and a 97.6% faster time to value compared to prior inelastic setups.
—Rafael Flores, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for prior
Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2025
The man from Mexico had prior convictions for car theft and drug possession.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 13 July 2025
From the fourth quarter of 2024 to the fourth quarter of 2025, Millar estimates the economy will grow a meager 0.5%, compared to 2.5% the prior year.
—Paul Davidson, USA Today, 13 July 2025
Contrast this with Forrester’s Total Economic Impact study of a leading CDP public cloud deployment, which showed that organizations achieved a 99.5% reduction in costs to scale data analytics and a 97.6% faster time to value compared to prior inelastic setups.
—Rafael Flores, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for prior
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prior
Adjective
-
Meander along the Big Bend Scenic Byway and stop along main streets and pull-offs that look interesting.—
Kelsey Glennon,
Southern Living,
6 July 2025
-
The project’s data goes through June 10, and only includes administrative immigration arrests made by ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, or ERO, the agency’s main arm that enforces immigration policy.—
Alexandra Mendoza,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 July 2025
Adjective
-
As a result, early educators were notified they would be laid off on June 30 when the previous grant expired, and families were forced to find other child care options starting on June 4.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 July 2025
-
Economists polled by Dow Jones are expecting an increase of 2,000 to 235,000 from the previous week.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
The bill's primary sponsors include representatives Adam Matthews (R-Lebanon) and Terrence Upchurch (D-Cleveland).—
Mariyam Muhammad,
The Enquirer,
11 July 2025
-
About one-third of American workers now earn income from a source other than a traditional nine-to-five job, whether this is their primary occupation or a side hustle.—
Liya Palagashvili,
National Review,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
This is the first time the river has been opened to swimmers since 1923, Reuters reported.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
12 July 2025
-
Now, for the first time, researchers from the University of Houston have unearthed a royal tomb in Caracol.—
Sonja Anderson,
Smithsonian Magazine,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
But this is not the predominant architectural style found in all of Cincinnati's neighborhoods, explained Cincinnati Preservation Association executive director Beth Johnson, a working group member.—
Sydney Franklin,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
-
There's near universal agreement that pay is a predominant factor in attracting and retaining teachers ― either to other schools or to other professions.—
Kayla Dwyer,
IndyStar,
2 July 2025
Adjective
-
Luke Combs, one of the country stars whose appeal has turned out to translate the most in parts of the world where the genre is not as dominant, will be getting the ACM International Award for his furthering of country music overseas.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
9 July 2025
-
Vaez says Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps — a dominant, multipronged military force — may see this as an opportunity for change.—
Jackie Northam,
NPR,
9 July 2025
Adjective
-
First launched in 1985, FIBO has become one of the earth’s foremost fitness and wellness-focused trade shows, with roughly 130,000 participants set to convene in Cologne, Germany in April 2026.—
Jared Ranahan,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
-
Ziegler, one of the world’s foremost experts on the history and law of reproductive rights in the U.S., draws on decades of scholarship.—
David L. Coddon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
Drowning is the No. 1 killer of children ages 1 to 4 and the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for children ages 5 to 14.—
Karen Cohn,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 July 2025
-
Already euthanasia has become the 5th leading cause of death north of our border.—
Krista Kafer,
Denver Post,
7 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prior.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prior. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share